After the break: turbulent victory for Leverkusen

First a storm slowed him down, then his goalscorer saved him: Erik ten Hag had a turbulent competitive debut as coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

August 15, 2025

From: dpa

However, the Dutchman was spared a false start in the hard-fought and, for a long time, unconvincing 4-0 (1-0) first-round DFB-Pokal victory against fourth-division side SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. After the match was suspended for almost 40 minutes due to a thunderstorm, striker Schick scored for the favored Bundesliga team in the 32nd minute.

After the break, Großaspach weakened twice: Captain Volkan Celiktas received a yellow card for a second yellow card (66th minute), and his teammate Mert Tasdelen even received a straight red card (82nd minute). Leverkusen's other goals came from Arthur (74th minute), Christian Kofane (84th minute), and Alejandro Grimaldo (87th minute), who scored from the penalty spot.

Storm causes long interruption

The match was barely 20 minutes old when referee Michael Bacher sent the teams off the field. In addition to the heavy rain that had started shortly before kickoff, hail, thunder, and gusty winds had also occurred. Volunteers attempted to clear the water from the pitch, using brooms and other tools. After a break of just under XNUMX minutes, play finally resumed.

Erik ten Hag is in charge at Leverkusen. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

For ten Hag, it was his first competitive game as Bayer coach. The 55-year-old, formerly of Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United, succeeded former Bundesliga coach Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen this summer. Ten Hag faces major changes at the 2024 double winners. Several key players, including German internationals Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah, have left the club during the current transfer window.